UN warns of soaring food insecurity across the Horn of Africa

A United Nations report released for 2025 says that more than 265 million people in 58 countries are experiencing acute food insecurity, up from 193 million in 2021.  UN Secretary‑General António Guterres described the situation as "unconscionable" and called for fundamental, systemic change.

The report identifies pandemic‑related economic shocks, ongoing conflicts and extreme weather linked to the climate crisis as the main drivers. Climate extremes alone are responsible for acute hunger affecting over 56 million people in 12 countries, and emissions from the food industry are a key contributor.

The Horn of Africa is the region most severely impacted: more than half of those facing “catastrophe‑level” acute hunger live in Somalia, with Ethiopia also heavily affected. Roughly 50 million people across the Horn have been hit by a prolonged drought that began in 2020, which scientists attribute to human‑driven climate change.